The Hobbit completes principal photography

Peter Jackson has announced on his official Facebook page that The Hobbit has now wrapped shooting in New Zealand.

Here’s his short update, which contains a teaser for things to come at Comic Con this weekend:

We made it! Shoot day 266 and the end of principal photography on The Hobbit. Thanks to our fantastic cast and crew for getting us this far, and to all of you for your support! Next stop, the cutting room. Oh, and Comic Con!
Cheers, Peter J

Ian McKellen recently told Stuff.co.nz that it’s likely he will return to New Zealand next year for a small amount of additional shooting for The Hobbit: There and Back Again, so this won’t be the last time cameras roll in Middle Earth, but the main bulk of shooting is now complete.

The Hobbit follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen), Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakensheild (Richard Armitage). Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is set to open December 14, 2012 and will be followed a year later by The Hobbit: There and Back Again on December 13, 2013.